Odisha to Introduce PESA Act in Upcoming Assembly Session

Odisha Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik announced that the state government will introduce the PESA Act in the next Assembly session. Amid criticism from opposition parties, Naik emphasized the Chief Minister’s commitment. The Act, untranslated for 28 years, will now be discussed with tribal MLAs and is set for implementation.

Odisha Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik announced on Wednesday that the state government will introduce the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act in the next Assembly session.

Naik's announcement came in response to criticism from opposition parties, including the BJD and Congress, during a debate on the Act in the Assembly. The opposition accused the BJP government of not prioritizing the legislation.

Naik noted that Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had promised to introduce the PESA Act in his Independence Day speech, and said the central government was interested in the issue. To address its importance, Naik plans to convene a meeting with all scheduled tribe MLAs and other House members.

He also mentioned that the PESA Act documents have been translated into Odia and Santali and sent to district magistrates in PESA regions. Despite being passed by Parliament in 1996, the Act has remained unimplemented in Odisha for 28 years.

Congress member Taraprasad Bahinipati criticized both the BJD and BJP for failing to uphold the tribal communities' rights over water, forest, and land. Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam accused the previous BJD-BJP coalition government and the current BJD government of delaying the Act to benefit the mining mafia.

BJD member Ganeswar Behera demanded a clear timeline for the PESA Act's implementation, seeking a definitive response from the minister.

(With inputs from agencies.)